She grunted an indistinguishable reply.
He continued, “I’m also positive in about ten minutes Mom will be calling to tell me how much she loved you.”
“I don’t think so.” Brooke folded her arms across her middle. “I saw your entire family watching the exchange you had with Shelby on the lawn. If your mom calls, it will be about her, not me.”
“Oh.” He scratched at the scruff on his jaw. “You might be right. But I know she’ll ask about you, too.”
“You’re lucky.” Brooke shifted in his seat to face him. “You have a whole house full of people who love you and want the best for you. I’m really glad you have them. It was beautiful to see a family who loved one another.”
“As much as they annoy me— I know I’m lucky.” He merged over lanes then set the car on cruise control. Another spell of silence filled the car. “Do you really think I made Shelby jealous?”
Brooke let out an exaggerated sigh. “Are we back to talking about her again?” She peered out her passenger window again.
“I know.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry. It’s like my mind gets stuck on this Shelby track. I haven’t been on it for a long time, but here I am I see her once then bam I can’t shake the idea of her away.”
“I get it.” She unfolded her arms then clasped her hands together in her lap. “It’s hard to let go of the one who rejects us. Maybe this will be your chance to win her back or let her go for good.” Her shoulders drooped.
“Or maybe I can make her jealous. I could live with that.”
“Okay,” Brooke simply replied. “If that’s what you need.”
“The best would be if she accidentally sees us together again when I go to visit Danielle and Michael’s house sometime.”
This might work.
“I don’t know—” Brooke shook her head. “I agreed to one dinner in exchange for one wedding date. That was the deal.”
He saw it play out before his very eyes. Shelby would finally regret her rash choice when she saw him and Brooke being ridiculously happy, she’d finally regret letting him go. Yes, this was his chance to make her feel the sting..
“Please, will you go on another fake date with me?” Logan flashed her a crooked smile.
“Why?” Brooke asked flatly.
“Because we’re friends,” he offered.
“Right, friends.” Brooke rested her head against the headrest and stared out the passenger side window. A long lull weaved through the car. Her jaw tightened a smidge. “I’ll do one more fake date for you.” She held up a finger. “But it’ll cost you.”
“Sure, anything.”
He straightened his back as excitement raced through him.
“There’s some concert tickets I have. I bought them over a year ago, I thought Justin would go with me.” Her voice sounded small. “Will you go with me?”
“That’s it?” He raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah, we could go as friends.”
“I’d love to go with you.” He genuinely smiled, because he did enjoy Brooke’s company. “Text me the date and time, and I’ll ask for the day off.”
Brooke retrieved her phone from her purse. “I’ll find the email with the information about the concert.”
“We could grab dinner before the concert,” he offered.
“I’d love that.” Brooke scrolled on her phone then tapped. “I’ll send the email to you, and I’ll research restaurants.”
Their exit came into view as the sights of downtown emerged on the horizon. He merged over and exited the expressway.
His phone rang.
